Rafael Benitez will be happy if Salomon Rondon scores half as many goals for Newcastle as Alan Shearer did.

Shearer scored a record 206 goals for his home-town club and while Benitez knows that is a near- impossible act to follow, he is hopeful that loan signing Rondon can make a significant contribution after taking his tally for the season to four at Everton in midweek.

Benitez said: “I said after the game that I would like to see him scoring goals like Alan Shearer, who scored so many times here.

Benitez said: “The other goals have also been very good, so the team has confidence that he can be on the end of crosses or whatever and he can score.”

But OK, if he scores half as many, I will be happy anyway.

The Newcastle boss continued: “He’s scoring goals – that is, for some people, the main thing for the strikers.

“After, obviously if they can score two goals, each one, it would be better, but if they cannot, at least Rondon is scoring goals.”
Rondon’s latest strike underlined his growing confidence as he produced an accomplished finish at the far post after meeting Jacob Murphy’s cross at Goodison Park, and he will head into Sunday’s home clash with Wolves gunning for more. For more news relating to Everton, visit our sister site EFC Live.